Shohei Ohtani Becomes First Japanese Born Player To Hit For The Cycle

by Collin HelwigJune 17, 2019, 10:23 amNews >

While the overused sports term “lights out” unfortunately described the situation at Tropicana Field on Thursday night, it also defined Shohei Ohtani‘s play during the contest. Standing as the Angels‘s designated hitter, Ohtani made history as the first Japanese-born player to hit for the cycle in the MLB.

Ohtani kicked off his historic performance checking the long ball off his list first, as he blasted a three–run homer during the first inning. Ohtani followed that up with a third inning double and then later stretched out for a triple during the game’s fifth frame. Ohtani then stamped his accomplishment into the books with a seventh inning single. Ohtani’s teammate, Mike Trout, was the last Angels player to accomplish the feat, which he did during the 2013 season.

Ohtani’s efforts contributed greatly to the Angels’ eventual 5–3 road victory over the Rays. Although Ohtani continues to excite baseball fans with his ability to pitch and hit effectively, the Angels remain a sub .500 team. However, Ohtani illuminates a possible bright future for the struggling club. Alongside his historic day at the plate Thursday, Ohtani owns other impressive resumé components, such as winning the American League Rookie of the Year award last year.

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Albert Pujols also joined Ohtani by adding his own impressive achievement, as after Ohtani’s triple the future Hall of Famer launched his 200th career home run.

However, Ohtani remains unable to access his unique ability to also help the Angels from the mound, as his ongoing recovery from tommy–john surgery will keep him off the hill likely until next year. Once returning, however, Ohtani will perhaps look to pair his cycle with a no–hitter, thus adding another pioneering achievement to his catalogue.